Nottingham Forest

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Nuno Espirito Santo has known Morgan Gibbs-White since the midfielder was 17 years old.

The pair worked together at Wolves and Nuno gave Gibbs-White a platform as a teenager as they won the Championship in 2018. It means he has seen the now 24-year-old at his highest and lowest, both on and off the pitch.

Gibbs-White made 32 appearances in all competitions in 2018-19 - after Wolves returned to the Premier League under Nuno - before struggling to make a consistent impact the next year and was caught breaking Covid regulations in May 2020.

Loans at Swansea and Sheffield United meant he took steps back in order to go forwards before his switch to the City Ground from Wolves in 2022 and, ultimately, a reunion with Nuno.

He has flourished at Forest, proving those who questioned a price tag which could rise to £42m wrong, to earn his first senior England cap against Ireland on Saturday.

Nuno prefers not to heap praise on individuals so when asked about the new England man on Thursday he pivoted to praising all of Forest's internationals during the break but, tellingly, he expects Gibbs-White to improve after his time with the Three Lions.

Some could view it as a bit of psychology - but it is Nuno's way of continuing to push a player he has helped mould over the last seven years.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chris Wood will be given every chance to prove his fitness for Nottingham Forest's trip to Liverpool.

Boss Nuno Espirito Santo takes his side to Anfield on Saturday aiming to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

Wood played 74 minutes of New Zealand's 1-1 draw with the USA in Cincinnati in midweek having already featured for 70 minutes in the 3-0 defeat against Mexico in California at the weekend.

He is now back in Nottingham and will evaluated by the club's medical staff.

"This is the bad part of the international break - we have one day to assess and make a decision," said Nuno.

"This is what we have to assess tomorrow. Some of them have had long travels. Some of them have played more or less minutes. We have one day to make decisions."

Willy Boly suffered a calf problem in training with the Ivory Coast and is a major doubt while Danilo is a long-term absentee after his ankle break on the opening day against Bournemouth.

However, West Ham loanee James Ward-Prowse and defender Morato could make their debuts. Midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White is also available having made his England debut in the 2-0 win in Ireland on Saturday.

"We as a club are very proud, not only for him, but all the players we have seen on international duty," added Nuno. "We are delighted for them.

"Morgan joined all the age stages of the national team - it was a matter of time. He had the quality and ambition to play for England [and] it was always one of his goals.

"He achieved it and hopefully he can repeat it."

Sarah Rendell
BBC Sport journalist

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Liverpool (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On if players who have travelled for the international break are going to be fit: "This is what we have to assess tomorrow. All of them are here with the exception of [Ramon] Sosa. He arrives this afternoon, but we are assessing. We have one day to assess and make the decision."

• Nuno said the club is "proud" of Morgan Gibbs-White for winning his first England cap: "He enjoyed all the [age] group stages of the national team. He was a world champion. It was a matter of time, I think, because of his talent, quality and ambition to play for England. He is delighted. It was always one of his goals. He has achieved it and I hope he repeats it."

• On Morato and James Ward-Prowse: "I think they have adapted well to the group. They are totally integrated and enjoying their football, preparing themselves for the chance when it comes. Easier for James, of course but for Morato, like all the players that have joined us, the squad has received him really well."

• On what Ward-Prowse can offer the team in the midfield: "He is different. His experience and quality, his talent and his knowledge of the game. I think he can help us a lot."

• Nuno was also asked about Nikola Milenkovic: "First of all his quality and the way he has been working with us since the beginning shows he is very focused and very determined. He is a competitor. Every moment of a training session, he is always trying to do better. That is the spirit that we want, someone that brings this mentality to what we already have. A very nice guy."

• He knows a trip to Liverpool will be a difficult challenge: "They are a very good team first of all. Very good players and they have started very well. Some things are different [under Arne Slot than under Jurgen Klopp]. Some things are the same - the players and the core are there. But always a very tough team and we know we are going to face a very good opponent."

Follow all of Thursday''s Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Liverpool v Nottingham Forest - listen to full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live from 15:00 BST on Saturday

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Nottingham Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic says it's better to be a defender in the Premier League than in Serie A.

Milenkovic spent seven seasons in the Italian top flight with Fiorentina before moving to the City Ground in July.

“You change country, culture, language and everything but everybody at Fiorentina helped me to adapt as fast as possible," Milenkovic told BBC East Midlands about leaving his native Serbia to move to Italy.

“Serie A in Italy is famous for tactics and the Premier League is faster and more intense. There are less fouls than in Italy and this makes the game more fast and more transitional.

"For a defender, it is better in the Premier League. It is the best league in the world and the intensity is very high. There is more physical work and it is tough to play but you enjoy the football and you see the passion from the people and the fans."

On moving to Forest, Milenkovic added: “Everybody helps me a lot, the group is great. The club is like a family and the fans have a big passion.

“Playing these type of matches [Saturday's trip to Liverpool] will be a great experience. It will be a very tough game but we will play in the best way possible.”

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Nuno Espirito Santo may have missed out on another frontline striker but he could still have the perfect man up front.

The arrival of James Ward-Prowse - who has one of the best deliveries in the division - will be able to give Chris Wood the perfect service.

Wood's 14 goals last season came from just 20 starts in the league and he has already opened his account in the 1-1 draw with Wolves.

The additions of Ramon Sosa and Jota Silva should provide further threat and ammunition and Wood could flourish before Forest have the chance to add new faces in January.

Failed moves for Feyenoord's Santiago Gimenez and Eddie Nketiah from Arsenal could actually prove perfect for Wood, allowing him to continue as the main man.

On Thursday lunchtime, Nuno faces the media ahead of the weekend trip to Liverpool for his first pre-match press conference since the end of the transfer window.

It will be an opportunity to dissect the end of the window, rather than the snatched chance following the 1-1 draw with Wolves almost two weeks ago.

Morgan Gibbs-White's England debut will be up for discussion while Ward-Prowse could be handed his debut after his deadline-day loan from West Ham.

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic says football was an "escape" for him as a child during the conflict happening around him.

The defender, who signed for the Reds in July, came through the youth ranks at Partizan Belgrade, the city that he was born in.

“It was special growing up in Belgrade," Milenkovic told BBC East Midlands. "There was a war and it was difficult for our parents but these things made us strong. Belgrade is a beautiful city and every time I come home I enjoy it.

"It made us stronger and so many people have a strong character. From tough times come good people with good character.

"As little kids, football was an escape and they forgot about everything. It was really good for the kids in this moment."

Last week, Milenkovic captained Serbia on his 58th cap in their Nations League game against Spain.

"It is a big honour of course to represent your country and your people and it’s one of the proudest moments of my career," he said.

"I’m thankful for the opportunity and I hope we will make our country happy."

Five points from the opening three games has been a decent start for Nottingham Forest albeit with trips to high-flying Liverpool and Brighton to come in the next two weeks.

But what have you spotted about the Reds so far this season? What is the one thing - good or bad - that nobody is talking about?

Let us know your thoughts, external - and we'll feature your replies on Thursday

Pat Riddell
Fan writer

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There was a time when many people thought Nottingham Forest had massively overpaid for Morgan Gibbs-White.

However, most Forest fans had seen him light up the Championship in a Sheffield United shirt and knew the relationship he and Steve Cooper had. The midfielder was part of Cooper’s World Cup-winning England Under-17 squad, as well as being on loan at Swansea while the Welshman was manager.

If Cooper wanted him, and the owner Evangelos Marinakis thought he should become the Reds’ record signing, then the fans were only ever going to support the arrival of a player who had been at Wolves since he was eight years old.

The initial £25m paid two years ago would not even cover his mercurial right foot now. Even with the £17.5m in add-ons, of which about £10m have probably been fulfilled, it still would not match his current market rate, undoubtedly in excess of £50m.

More importantly for both Forest and Gibbs-White, at the weekend he became the club's first player to win an England cap since 1997 with his 15-minute debut off the bench proved what he is capable of.

After creating nine chances from open play in three Premier League appearances this season, the most by any player, he conjured up a further two chances against the Republic of Ireland in his brief cameo.

Hopefully he will get another chance to impress for Lee Carsley’s second match against Finland. After all, the two know each other well from the manager's time with the England Under-21 squad, both of them winning the Under-21 European Championship last summer.

But the City Ground’s talisman has evidently gained his first England cap on merit alone. There are few players who have performed as well as him in the Garibaldi.

Indeed, for anyone under 30, it is likely Gibbs-White is the most talented player to play on Trentside in their lifetime.

The goal for everyone now is that the 24-year-old is not the only Forest player to be in the England squad, and that even just a fraction of the Reds' glory days can return to a club that has waited almost 30 years for top-flight success.

Find more from Pat Riddell at The Famous Club, external

The Premier League’s summer transfer window saw clubs spend almost £2bn in all.

Data from Footballtransfers.com, external shows the biggest net spend by a club - that’s all the money spent minus all that came in from sales - was Brighton.

The Seagulls had a net spend of £153.5m.

On the flip side, the club who generated the biggest net summer profit on transfers was Manchester City, who made £115.8m, thanks in large part to the sale of Julian Alvarez.

Tottenham had a net spend of £5.6m.

Newcastle United could revisit a deal for Nottingham Forest forward Anthony Elanga in January. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Saturday's full gossip column

Slobodan Maricic
BBC Serbia journalist

Image source, Getty Images

The referee's whistle to mark the start of Serbia's Nations League game against Spain also marked something else. Something much bigger.

It marked a new beginning for the Serbian national team, led by a new captain: Nottingham Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic.

And new eras, as it usually happens, come after a lot of turbulence.

When Serbia exited Euro 2024 at the group stage, the future of the squad seemed quite uncertain.

The captain - former Southampton midfielder Dusan Tadic - openly criticised coach Dragan Stojkovic and later announced he was retiring from international duty.

Everyone thought the captain’s armband would go to Aleksandar Mitrovic, former Newcastle United and Fulham striker. But that is when things got complicated.

The media wrote about the open rebellion against Stojkovic in the locker room, with some players not wanting to play for him any more. Mitrovic was allegedly one of them, but nothing was confirmed officially.

A couple of months down the line and Serbia's record scorer - as well as Sergej Milinkovic-Savic - were not available to play for their country in these Nations League matches because of injury. Both were later seen in training for their Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal.

Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic also did not join up, citing "private reasons.

It left Serbia with a very different looking set of players, and still without a captain.

Stojkovic chose Milenkovic, who had the most caps (58) of the players who answered their international call-up.

"I am glad I decided to make him the captain, he fully justified the role," Stojkovic said after the 0-0 draw with Spain.

Milenkovic added that the armband is a "great honour and responsibility”, but also the "crown of his career".

A transfer to the Premier League and a promotion to captain of your national team.

Not bad for one summer.

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Former England and Nottingham Forest defender Viv Anderson says Morgan Gibbs-White needs to "revel in playing for England" in order to make the successful step up from youth level.

Gibbs-White is one of four uncapped players brought in by interim head coach Lee Carsley for Nations Leagues games against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.

The Forest midfielder worked with Carsley when playing for England's age group teams and was part of the side that won the Under-21 European Championship in Georgia in June 2023.

"It is going to be interesting to see how these young lads do - are they going to be the next golden generation?" Anderson said. "Everyone is crossing their fingers and hoping that is the case.

"But going from the Under-21s to the full England senior squad is a big, big step - some people wilt and some people will take the challenge on, just like Phil Foden did.

"He revels in playing for England and I think that is the attitude you have got to take. I look at Tino Livramento and Gibbs-White and they are decent players and will be looking forward to making the step up.

"Only time will tell [but] you have to give them the opportunity, then will they grasp it with both hands? Or do they do just OK and then the manager could think 'I am not sure he is quite ready for the big internationals'."

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We asked you for your views on how Nottingham Forest have started the season - and where you thought they might finish.

A whopping 83% of respondents opted for 11th-17th - and the comments we received are reflective of that:

Des: Careful, considered and balanced window. Tremendous work that gives me great hope and optimism for the coming season. It was a shame about the strikers but I prefer to be with our two plus potential replacements from within the squad if they are injured or not up to form rather than the usual panic buys/loans!

Quilty: I'm really looking forward to what James Ward Prowse is going to bring to the squad this season - he's proven to be a class act. An excellent addition to the team. I don't know too much about the other recent acquisitions but feel that if Nuno gets it right tactically and is prepared to give it a go, I'm optimistic of a mid-table position.

Kris: After three games it’s hard to draw too many conclusions, but one thing that stands out is our tendency to switch off. Against Bournemouth and Wolves, we’ve conceded goals that were easily avoided, dropping four points in the process. I’m hoping Nikola Milenkovic continues to impress in defence and Ward Prowse can improve our goal return from set pieces.

Neil: A shrewd transfer window has been great to see and that we have been able to bolster and improve the bones of a side that is growing in confidence and understanding of one another. I have high hopes for a more comfortable season and a finish on or around mid table.

Dave: We're looking more solid so far but the test will be against the so-called bigger teams and how we cope against them. If we start turning draws into wins and become more clinical with our chances, I think we should be OK. Finishing 14-15th would be fine with me and we can push on from there.

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Radio Solent's sports editor Adam Blackmore has given BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast the lowdown on what former Southampton man James Ward-Prowse will bring to Nottingham Forest.

Ward-Prowse's season-long loan move from West Ham was confirmed on deadline day with the 29-year-old boasting 343 Premier League appearances worth of experience.

"Rarely injured, rarely misses a game and he gives you a consistent level of performance," Blackmore told David Jackson.

"You might want a midfielder who can give you more nine and 10s out of 10 but James Ward-Prowse will rarely give you less than seven.

"What you get as a manager is knowing what you get with James. You're getting a player who can deliver what you ask him to do and turn up day in day out.

"He's as professional as they come and I think he's an asset to any club, not just on the pitch but off the pitch in the way he lives his life. He's an example to young players which is also a great strength of his which is worth having around a dressing room.

"You look at Danilo's injury and he's the perfect replacement. Last week, Forest won at Southampton with Elliot Anderson slightly out of position but to have Ward-Prowse in there with his engine as well and Morgan Gibbs-White ahead of them - I like that."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Dan Roan, Simon Stone and Tom Mallows
BBC Sport

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Nottingham Forest were deducted four points in March after an independent commission ruled the club's losses to 2022-23 breached the allowed threshold by £34.5m.

Forest's maximum loss was limited to £61m as they spent two years of the assessment period in the Championship.

They failed with an appeal in May but survived relegation by finishing 17th last season, six points above the drop zone.

It is not clear whether this ruling means the Premier League has no authority to take action for any period where a club is not a member, or just to charge them at the end of a three-year cycle.

The Premier League may need to tighten the rules in this case.

Read the full analysis of Leicester's PSR case

A new episode of BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast has landed on BBC Sounds.

Colin Fray and David Jackson go inside James Ward-Prowse's loan move from West Ham, hear from Chris Wood and look forward to a potential England debut for Morgan Gibbs-White.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

The dust has settled on the transfer window, the Premier League is well and truly back, and we are into the first international break of 2024-25.

So we want you to predict where Nottingham Forest will finish in the Premier League this season - thinking about their start to the campaign and summer transfer business.

Submit your prediction here

And also, please tell us what is the one thing - good or bad - you have learned about the Reds so far in the campaign?

Let us know your thoughts here, external

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James Ward-Prowse says he is looking forward to "cracking on" at Nottingham Forest, after completing a season-long loan move to the City Ground on transfer deadline day.

Speaking in his first club interview, external, Ward-Prowse said: "It feels amazing. It has been a crazy few days. I'm delighted to be here. When I knew I had the opportunity to come and join the club, and show what I can do, I thought it was a fantastic opportunity.

"My position changed and I had the opportunity to play football. It's always a tough decision - there are a lot of things to take into consideration - but, as soon as I knew Nottingham Forest were there for me, it was a chance to come and show people what I'm about.

"I'm looking forward to just cracking on now and starting my career here."

The former England international revealed what he is hoping to achieve during his loan spell: "I'm always looking to try and progress. That is the type of player and person that I am. This season will be no different, hopefully, to try and improve.

"I like to be thought of as a real hard-working player. I think that is something, as a boy, that I have always had in me - that hard work and desire. No matter whether you are having a good game or not, it is about that commitment and passion.

"Other than the hard work, I will hopefully bring some quality on the ball and contribute positively to the team."

The central midfielder has already made 343 Premier League appearances, so he is hoping to bring some of his experience to Nuno Espirito Santo's squad: "It feels weird to be at the age now where I'm viewed as the experienced player. It just shows how quickly football goes.

"I think that is something I can bring to the squad - the experiences that I've had. I have learnt from the good ones but also the difficult ones. Hopefully I can try to bring a little bit of that to the dressing room."

Pat Riddell
Fan writer

The success of Nottingham Forest's summer transfer window can only be judged over the coming months. However, the games against Wolves and Newcastle United in the past week bode well.

While many fans' hopes were focused on a new striker - one that failed to materialise - it has been said that manager Nuno Espirito Santo did not feel he needed one, and told the owner Evangelos Marinakis as much.

As it stands, Chris Wood already has two goals this season - and has remarkably scored 13 times in 19 Premier League starts under Nuno. Meanwhile, Taiwo Awoniyi will be hoping to return to full fitness soon with the sharpness and confidence we know he has.

What we have seen of the new arrivals suggests that this window was well thought-out and strategic, unlike some others in the club's recent history. There were no last-minute panic buys, no baffling arrivals, just a calm and measured approach that strengthened the squad across the pitch.

And while the Reds might have spent £94m on transfers, a seemingly average figure for a Premier League club, our net spend has been quoted at just £18m. Admittedly, the bulk of the outgoings came under clever PSR accounting, which will be part of last year's financial results - avoiding another points deduction.

Nevertheless, this prudent approach has seen Nikola Milenkovic slot naturally into defence, Elliot Anderson fit in midfield like he was the missing part of a jigsaw, Ramon Sosa and Jota Silva seem a real threat up top - providing healthy competition across the front three positions - and we all know what James Ward-Prowse and Alex Moreno offer.

With an international break for the manager and squad to work together, the new faces who are not away representing their country will find their feet - and hopefully reassure us that the goals will come without a big-money striker.

Find more from Pat Riddell at The Famous Club, external

Newcastle United will try to sign Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga again in future transfer windows. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Nottingham Forest and Wolves.

Here are some of your comments:

Forest fans

Martin: We were good, more solid than last season, but there is still work to do. We are stronger on the left than the right. We played well and kept battling for the win which is good to watch. Jota Silva was lively when he came on as was Ramon Sosa which is positive. Some nice tricky football in there throughout. Not an easy opponent but one point feels a fair result.

Andy: A pity not to take three points but we would have lost that last season. We look so much surer at the back, particularly from set pieces. Lots of encouraging signs - we played well but Matheus Cunha is a different class. He owned the first half but Morgan Gibbs-White took the second.

Shaun: You can see that although the team have only played two Premier League games, they are forming a good understanding. Sosa and Jota are looking good. Once they have been with us another month or two i can see them starting matches. Sangare should be able to last 90+ minutes but has improved. Elliot Anderson looks to be a bargain. I'm looking forward to the rest of the season.

Coxsy: One mistake cost us the goal but on a positive we are much improved this season. We've been the better team. To be honest, I'm disappointed we have not got seven to nine points from the first 3 games.

Wolves fans

Kye: Good point! Sam Johnstone looks a good signing and it is comfortable on the ball. Michael Dawson was as solid as ever. VAR again doesn't like us as it was definitely handball from Chris Wood. Solid performance from all. Jorgen Strand Larsen looks very good.

Steve: Nothing different from what we have seen before. No cohesion at the back, a soft goal let in and no real attacking force yet. Seems like a replay of the second half of last season. I hope the manager manages to get them all to gel. It’s up to the players to support the manager and themselves.

Steve: I think it was a good game of football. Excellent goalkeeping by the new lad, while the defence is slowly improving and the midfielders along with the attackers are looking better. Cunha was busy, Mario Lemina looks sharp and Nelson Semedo is his usual self. I'm confident that, after the first win, many more will follow. Gary O'Neil's barmy army indeed.

Rob: Initial luck has run out for this out-of-depth manager. One win in 13. What a record.